Murder suspect appears for arraignment

A transient from Washington state who moved to Fallon last week appeared in the New River Township Justice Court Friday for arraignment on charges of open murder and battery with a deadly weapon resulting from Tuesday night incident at the Overland Hotel.

Judge Mike Richards read the criminal complaint to Mitchell Keith Goodrum, 55, who was escorted in shackles by two Churchill County Sheriff’s deputies.

On count one, Goodrum is charged with open murder with the use of a deadly weapon against an elderly person, a Category A felony. The court document stated the defendant stabbed with a knife, Warren Edward Butler, 72, at least 15 times intending to kill him resulting in the death of Warren Butler.

On count two, Goodrum is charged with battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm to a victim, a Category B felony. The complaint states the defendant stabbed with a knife Shirley Ng in the neck, shoulder and torso causing substantial bodily harm.

Goodrum asked if he could defend himself, but Richards assigned a public defender until the defendant returns to Justice Court for a status hearing on Tuesday.

According to the Fallon Police Department, dispatch received a call at about 6:20 p.m. indicating a man was bleeding at the Overland Hotel on 125 E. Center St. Within one minute, an officer arrived at the scene, and paramedics from Banner Churchill Community Hospital were en route.

Capt. Ron Wenger said Ng, 41, of Fernley, was doing work in the dining area. Wenger said Goodrum, a border at the historic hotel, came into the dining area where a dispute occurred between him and Ng. Another male hotel guest who was in the dining area became involved in the dispute.

“The suspect pulled a knife and started stabbing numerous times,” Wenger said. “The victim succumbed to his injuries at Banner.”

Wenger said this is an active investigation, and officers have been talking to witnesses and people who know Goodrum.